2026 Shore Conference Boys Soccer Preview: Class B South

In recent years, both Lacey and Central Regional have made inroads toward becoming top tier programs in Ocean County that are capable of challenging the biggest programs in the Shore Conference. Last year, both teams had their chance to take down Toms River East, Toms River North and Southern while competing in the Class A South, but a mix of excellence by that trio plus injuries to Lacey and Southern doomed that pursuit.

This year, both Lacey and Central are back in Class B South and will take on a different large school for a division title. Jackson Township is in its second year since the Memorial-Liberty merger and is seeking Jackson’s first division title since Memorial claimed the 2019 Class A South championship. Throw in wild card in Point Pleasant Beach and a defending Class C South champion in Brick and the Class B South race – which included a three-way tie for third place in 2025 – has the makings of one of the Shore’s tightest of this fall.

In predicted order of finish

 

1. Jackson

In year two post-merger, Jackson will hope to have a more stable roster after attempting to navigate the challenges to combining two teams last year. It has its perks as well, with talent from what used to be two sending districts now all in one school. Jackson will also benefit this season from the move of both Brick Memorial and Toms River South to Class A South, while the new teams in the division – Brick, Central and Lacey – will all be relatively young.

Senior Serhii Hryhoriak was Jackson’s top scorer in 2025 and he returns to lead the attack as one of three returning starters in the front six. Junior Anthony Materia enters his third year as a starter and is poised for a bounceback season after following up his five goals as a freshman with two last season. Fellow juniors Oliver Reyes and Yousef Abdelmalak are also back, with Abdelmalak set to share the midfield with junior Kyle Deirtl, senior Mario Espinales and sophomores Tyler Felicelli and Michael Titovich.

Jackson’s greatest challenge will be replacing an entire defense but veteran coach Steve Bado has a track record of organizing quality back lines. Bado also has the luxury of returning two solid goalkeepers in senior Logan Schlenk and junior Brandon Idyk. The two keepers have split games over the past two seasons and Schlenk also plays the field when he is not in goal. In front of them, an all-junior quartet of Zach Csatari, Vincenzo Orlando, Lucas Raythen and Rodney Marshall is in line to man the defensive third. The division will be a battle among several teams and the Shore Conference Tournament Group 2 in which Jackson resides has no easy games, so while Jackson is set up for a good season, the Jaguars will have to be sharp from the jump against a tough schedule.

Jackson at a Glance

Head Coach: Steve Bado
2025 Record: 10-11-1 (2-3, tied third in Class B South)
SCT Group: 2 (Southern, Holmdel, Freehold Twp., Matawan)
Key Losses: Connor Schlenk (Defense), Tristan Nikitin (Defense), Anthony Castellano (Midfield), Rafael Cruz (Forward), Colin Williams (Forward), Nick Ifantis (Defense), Callan Granito (Midfield), James Gonnello (Defense)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Logan Schlenk, Sr. (3 goals, 1 assist, 1 shutout); Brandon Idyk, Jr., Goalkeeper

Zach Csatari, Jr., Defense

Vincenzo Orlando, Jr., Defense

Lucas Rathyen, Jr., Defense (1 goal)

Rodney Marshall, Jr., Defense

Yousef Abdelmalak, Jr., Midfield (2 goals, 1 assist)

Kyle Deirtl, Jr., Midfield

Mario Espinales, Sr., Midfield

Serhii Hryhoriak, Sr., Midfield/Forward (7 goals, 4 assists)

Oliver Reyes, Jr., Forward/Midfield (1 goal, 1 assist)

Anthony Materia, Jr., Forward (2 goals)

 

Other Key Players

Michael Titovich, So., Midfield

Tyler Felicelli, So., Midfield

Mike Miceli, Sr., Midfield

Ryan Pouliot, Sr., Forward

Mason Puckhaber, Sr., Midfield

Gio DeFazio, Jr., Defense

Max Gertner, Jr., Midfield

Kevin Pablo, Jr., Midfield

Ty Shramovich, Jr., Defense

Decker Trautwein, Jr., Defense

Caiden D’Souza, So., Forward

Anthony Fillipone, So., Midfield

Nery Cruz, Fr., Midfield

Mason Monday, Fr., Forward

 

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2. Lacey

Injuries tanked what could have been a special season for Lacey, which just one year earlier made it all the way to the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals. This year, there are more questions heading in than there were a year ago, but there might be fewer questions than there would have been had Lacey rode a healthy squad to a big season in 2025. A number of young players had to step up and play important minutes last season and will come into this year better prepared to answer the challenge.

One area Lacey in which should excel is in goal, where Dylan Graham returns off an injury-plagued 2025 season and two years removed from an All-Shore campaign as a sophomore. The defense in front of Graham will be mostly new, with junior Aiden Tallman returning and seniors Jack Clancy and Will Reid move into a starting position to help him lead the unit. Junior Aaron Estelle and sophomore Ben Cantino also join the starting back line, which churned through a number of starting groups last year as coach Steve Torre scrambled to account for the injuries.

Sophomore Tristan DeRosa was key contributor in the back as a freshman and will move to the head of the attack along with junior Paul Gueirrero, who has also been contributing at the varsity level since his freshman year. Junior Logan Hope is coming off a strong sophomore season as the lone returning midfielder. Senior Kenshin McHugh and junior Mark DeAngel are set to start in the midfield as Lacey hopes for a healthier season and for enough scoring to take advantage of having an All-Shore-caliber goalkeeper.

Lacey at a Glance

Head Coach: Steve Torre, 10th season
2025 Record: 10-11-1 (2-3, tied fourth in Class A South)
SCT Group: 3 (Toms River East, Ocean, Barnegat, Raritan)
Key Losses: Tanner Grozinski (Forward), Aiden Schmitt (Midfield), Anthony Introna (Forward), Noah Riley (Defense/Forward), Josh Heckel (Midfield), Christian Gilani (Midfield/Defense)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Dylan Graham, Sr., Goalkeeper (6 shutouts)

Jack Clancy, Sr., Defense

Aaron Estelle, Jr., Defense

Aiden Tallman, Jr., Defense (3 goals, 1 assist)

Ben Catino, So., Defense

Will Reid, Sr., Defense (3 goals, 1 assist)

Logan Hope, Jr., Midfield (4 goals, 2 assists)

Mark DeAngelo, Jr., Midfield

Kenshin McHugh, Sr., Midfield

Tristan DeRosa, So., Forward (1 goal, 1 assist)

Paul Guierrero, Jr., Forward (3 goals, 2 assists)

 

Other Key Players

Jake Platvoet, Sr.

Alex Roldan, Sr.

Andrew Baldacinni, Jr.

Jakob Ziobro, Jr.

Brian Hayes, Jr.

Tyler Applegate, Jr.

Cole Wioland, Jr.

Hagen Schenk, So.

Elijah Cacailo, So.

Jake Delaporte, So.

 

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3. Central

Like their rivals south on Western Blvd., Central endured a rash of injuries last season, although the Golden Eagles’ injuries were more about severity than quantity. Madden Leszczynski came back from a torn ACL only to tear the ACL in his other knee, which had a deflating effect on a team hoping to get one of its leaders back. Leszczynski was part of a talented senior group and although a move from Class A South to Class B South should help the win total, turning over the roster for Central will be a challenge.

Senior Julian Lenovich was one of the team’s top scorers a season ago and will play in the middle of the formation. Junior Michael Bianco is also back in the midfield and sophomore Justin Dellapietro moves into a starting midfield spot after scoring two goals as a freshman. The group of starting forwards at Central is all new and includes freshman Nico Pasqualini along with sophomore Liam Kahute and junior Grady Nowak.

Seniors Connor Azzerone and Cole Crutchley give the Golden Eagles half of a returning defense, while Cameron Conaty and seophomore Jackson Boyer round out the back four in front of freshman goalkeeper Jovanni Pasqualini. With the Pasqualini duo leading the way, Central has an impact freshman class to pair with a promising sophomore group over the next three years and against a more manageable division schedule, the Golden Eagles could see immediate results.

Central at a Glance

Head Coach: Troy Van Hise, ninth season
2025 Record: 7-11 (2-3, tied fourth in Class A South)
SCT Group: 1 (CBA, Manasquan, Red Bank, Red Bank Catholic)
Key Losses: Ilyas Ciltepe (Midfield), Landon Kavanagh (Midfield), Danny Palheta (Forward), Ricky Pasqualini (Forward), Joe Centanni (Defense), Michael Boyer (Defense), Kaden Stout (Goalkeeper), Madden Leszczynski (Midfield), Sam Rezai (Midfield)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Jovanni Pasqualini, Fr., Goalkeeper

Connor Azzerone, Sr., Defense (1 goal)

Cole Crutchley, Sr., Defense

Jackson Boyer, So., Defense

Cameron Conaty, Sr., Defense

Justin Dellapietro, So., Midfield (2 goals)

Michael Bianco, Jr., Midfield (2 assists)

Julian Lenovich, Sr., Midfield (8 goals)

Liam Kahute, So., Forward

Grady Nowak, Jr., Forward

Jovanni Pasqualini, Fr., Forward

 

Other Key Players

Rowan Penevolpe, So.

Blake Pisano, Fr.

 

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4. Point Pleasant Beach

In its first foray out of the small-school divisions of Class B Central and Class C South, Point Beach held its own with a third-place finish in Class B South and a record comfortably clear of .500 in 2025. The duo of Dylan Ryan and Brody Powers led the way and Powers is back for his senior year to lead a roster that has Ryan and three other starters to replace.

Ryan is the lone attacking player to graduate from last year’s team, which means Point Beach has plenty of proven scoring returning. Powers is coming off a 27-goal junior year, while junior Evan Hajeski and senior Landon Hoberman join him as established players with a history of varsity production. Juniors Tyler Morgan and Max Ramirez will also join Hoberman in the midfield and sophomore Cole Mayer is among the players in the mix for an open starting spot in the midfield.

The defensive third will carry more uncertainty after the Garnet Gulls graduated two defenders and starting goalkeeper Bennet Moberg. Sophomore Parker Sario has opened eyes with his play in goal so far, while senior Barrett Bell and junior Abe Morgan are set to jump in at the outside fullback spots. Senior Jack Swideer and junior Jack Morgan, meanwhile, return as the starting defenders who contributed as starters last year. With an experienced team and a regular-season schedule that will challenge them, the Garnet Gulls have the makings of a dangerous team in the NJSIAA Group I Tournament, which will be the north star for Point Beach throughout the season.

Point Beach at a Glance

Head Coach: John Palumbo, fifth season
2025 Record: 12-7-1 (2-3, tied third in Class B South)
SCT Group: None
Key Losses: Dylan Ryan (Forward), Bennett Moberg (Goalkeeper), Landon Schultz (Defense), Ryan Kurmin (Defense)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Parker Sario, So., Goalkeeper

Barrett Bell, Sr., Defense

Jack Swider, Sr., Defense

Jack Morgan, Jr., Defense (1 goal, 2 assists)

Abe Morgan, Jr., Defense (2 goals, 1 assist)

Tyler Morgan, Jr., Midfield (4 goals)

Max Ramirez, Jr., Midfield (1 goal, 6 assists)

Cole Mayer, So., Midfield

Landon Hoberman, Sr., Midfield (5 goals, 1 assist)

Brody Powers, Sr., Forward (27 goals, 10 assists)

Evan Hajeski, Jr., Forward (9 goals, 4 assists)

 

Other Key Players

Ethan Zaidel, Jr., Defense

Gael Santiago, Sr.

Emilio Santiago, Jr

Gavin Sramowicz, Jr.

Jack Blaustein, So.

Georgi, Palechev, Fr.

 

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5. Brick

Coming off its best season since 2008 and its first Shore Conference division championship in recent memory, Brick has a new standard to meet after last year’s senior class raised the bar. With All-Shore striker Carl Loffredo and Gianno Godenzi leading the way, the Green Dragons leaned on that senior group for a huge chunk of the production and minutes, which leaves this year’s team light on experience as it makes the move from Class C South to B South.

In the new configuration, senior Nana Boakye-Yiadom will be the primary target at the top of the formation as a physical striker. Senior John Yllahuman and junior Jacob Walters return to the starting midfield and the defense brings back Diego Aldana and Jack Demann, giving Brick five starters back in the fold to lead the team, plus 2025 contributor Isaac Gavidia in the midfield.

Sophomore Freddie Romeo moves into the starting goalkeeper position in place of four-year starter Devin Baldwin and the Green Dragons will cover him with Aldana, Demann and two new starters from the pool of sophomore Jack George, junior Javier Romero, junior Anthony Puccerella, and seniors Leo Gomez and Zach Perez. On the attack, senior Oliver Kapuscinski will play up top, while junior Kristian Hruiboucak and seniors Aldo Perez and Christian Sanchez Ponce figure into the midfield mix for a Brick side looking to reload while stepping up in division competition.

Brick at a Glance

Head Coach: Tom Frazzitta, 12th season
2025 Record: 12-7-1 (4-0, first in Class C South)
SCT Group: 5 (Colts Neck, Toms River North, Ranney, Asbury Park)
Key Losses: Carl Loffredo (Forward/Midfield), Gianno Godenzi (Forward/Midfield), Gabe Walters (Midfield), Devin Baldwin (Goalkeeper), Anthony Martone (Midfield), Matt Rodas (Midfield), Luis Lenor (Defense), Ryan Paramonte (Defense), Jerry Lenor (So., Midfield)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Freddie Romero, So., Goalkeeper

Diego Aldana, Sr., Defense (1 goal, 1 assist)

Jack Demann, Sr., Defense

Jack George, So., Defense

Javier Romero, Jr., Defense; Anthony Puccerella, Jr., Defense

John Yllahuman, Sr., Midfield/Defense

Jacob Walters, Jr., Midfield (2 goals)

Isaac Gavidia, Sr., Midfield

Kristian Hruiboucak, Jr., Midfield; Aldo Perez, Sr., Midfield

Oliver Kapuscinski, Sr., Forward

Nana Boakye-Yiadom, Sr., Forward (3 goals, 1 assist)

 

Other Key Players

Christian Sanchez Ponce, Sr., Midfield

Leo Gomez, Sr., Defense

Zack Perez, Sr., Defense

 

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6. Manchester

The youth movement is in full effect at Manchester, where only one senior will grace the roster in 2026. The distinction belongs to forward Evan Beam, who will look to provide some fire at the head of the formation for a team looking to replace a lot of leadership and even more goal-scoring.

Although there is a shortage of seniors, Manchester does boast some varsity experience. Junior Colin Degnan and sophomore Patrick Allen are both return starters in the midfield, while juniors Aiden Lacayo, Cole Sarma and Oliver Miron bring experience to the defense. The goal-prevention unit is an all-junior operation, with Adam Drozdz also playing in the back and Joey Cherichello manning the goal.

On the attack, it will be the sophomores leading the way. James DeSilva and Liam Coyle round out the midfield with Degnan and Allen, while Kevin Bautista at striker is yet another sophomore getting a starting opportunity for Manchester. The Hawks have had a competitive run in recent years, so while there are probably some growing pains to be expected this season, there is also potential for this group to gel, win some games and set themselves up well for 2027.

Manchester at a Glance

Head Coach: Nick Salvemini, third season
2025 Record: 9-11 (2-3, tied third in Class B South)
SCT Group: 8 (St. John Vianney, Shore, Howell, Keyport, Donovan Catholic)
Key Losses: Brayden Kurak (Midfield), Josh Rosado (Midfield/Forward), Muiz Aderogba (Midfield/Forward), Cole DeSantis (Goalkeeper), Yoel Santos-Zarcos (Defense/Midfield), Andrew Rosenthal (Defense)

Projected Starting XI (With 2025 Stats)

Returning starters in bold

Joey Cherichello, Jr., Goalkeeper

Aiden Lacayo, Jr., Defense

Cole Sarama, Jr., Defense (2 assists)

Oliver Miron, Jr., Defense/Midfield

Adam Drozdz, Jr., Defense

Colin Degnan, Jr., Midfield (2 goals, 2 assists)

James DeSilva, So., Midfield

Liam Coyle, So., Midfield/Forward

Patrick Allen, So., Midfield/Forward

Evan Beam, Sr., Forward

Kevin Bautista, So., Midfield

 

Other Key Players

Jayson Melara, Jr., Midfield/Forward (1 goal, 3 assists)

Didier Hernandez, Jr., Midfield

Gabe Almazo, Jr., Defense/Midfield

Daniel Haskins, Fr., Midfield/Forward

Nathan O’Hara, So., Midfield/Forward

 

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Class B South Starting XI

Brody Powers, Forward, Point Beach

Paul Guierrero, Forward, Lacey

Anthony Materia, Forward, Jackson

Tristan DeRose, Forward, Lacey

Evan Hajeski, Forward, Point Beach

Serhii Hryhoriak, Midfield/Forward, Jackson

Julian Lenovich, Midfield, Central

Logan Hope, Midfield, Lacey

Connor Azzerone, Defense, Central

Aiden Tallman, Defense, Lacey

Dylan Graham, Goalkeeper, Lacey